JonBenet Cops Tipped To Karr In 2001

Calif. Cops Years Ago Told Boulder Of His 'Fascination' With Ramsey

(CBS/AP)  Pamela Paugh, JonBenet Ramsey's aunt, told René Syler of the CBS Early Show that she hopes a court would thwart any attempt for Karr to earn money related to JonBenet's murder.

Even if "we have to enact a law really quickly that would prohibit him from profiting from a book sale, movie deal, TV rights, anything," Paugh says.

Paugh also says that regardless of who the killer is, the death of JonBenet – who was hit over the head, strangled and sexually assaulted - "was no accident."

Investigators in Sonoma County, Calif., said Wednesday that they found out in 2001 that Karr was fascinated with both the Ramsey case and another high profile child murder: the 1993 slaying of Polly Klaas, who was killed after being snatched from her home in Petaluma, Calif.

California detectives say evidence of this fascination turned up in tape-recorded comments and e-mails attributed to Karr.

"In a few instances while he seemed to be wondering about the JonBenet Ramsey murder, he made uncertain allusions to placing himself in the killer's role," police say, in a statement released by the Sonoma County sheriff's office. "However, we never uncovered any 'confession' statements, overt murder evidence, or other indications that John Karr possessed secret knowledge that only the murderer of JonBenet Ramsey would know."

On the tapes, which have been aired by several broadcast media outlets, a man with a Southern accent is heard discussing the details surrounding JonBenet's strangulation: "She was in a lot of pain before she died and suffered and was tortured. There is physical evidence of that. What a shame. It's shameful. That person did that to the most beautiful girl in the world."

The Sonoma department also noted Karr made references to two other crimes in two different states, including a child killing and a child molestation. Information about Karr was provided to the investigating agencies in all three states, including Colorado, the department said.

The disclosure by the Sonoma County sheriff raises fresh questions about the work of Boulder authorities.

The police department in particular drew heavy criticism for allegedly failing to secure the crime scene, while former District Attorney Alex Hunter was accused by at least one investigator of trying to protect JonBenet's parents. Hunter stepped down and Mary Lacy took over as DA in January 2001 - a year marked more by libel allegations against former detectives and police officers than any public progress in the case.

"I worry that this information might have fallen through the cracks during the time the Boulder police and the DA's office were bickering about JonBenet," said former Denver prosecutor Craig Silverman. "This guy should have gone on their radar screen."

The pornography case in California remains open. Karr fled after being charged and an arrest warrant was issued. Sonoma County authorities have said they will allow the Ramsey case to be resolved before pursuing their case against Karr.

Boulder authorities have not revealed what evidence led them to go to Thailand to get Karr a decade after the slaying.

CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen said he doesn't consider what Karr said in Thailand to be a confession, and Karr is not going to be able to plead guilty right away in Colorado.

"To plead guilty and have the judge accept the plea, there has to be a factual basis for it," Cohen said. "Prosecutors have to be convinced of that, and so does the judge."

Defense attorney Van Zandt says she personally likes Karr and felt he was under stress when he made self-incriminating comments.

"He's tired," says Van Zandt. "I hope he's beginning to relax and feel better. But he's been through an awful lot. He's exhausted, he's terrified, he's overwhelmed, he's just about as stressed out as a human being can be."

Sheriff's deputies are monitoring Karr's mental state and physical safety in jail, where he has twice met with a psychiatrist and is under a suicide watch, with deputies checking on him every 15 minutes.

She adds that Karr's "incriminating statements were made days before I met him, so I can't say under what circumstances those were made," but that when she and Van Zandt spoke to Karr he was "lucid and clear."

[semituf]

Well, here we go again,you good, God-fearing,hard-working folks who foot the bills of the "greatest country on earth"...DUE PROCESS of LAW. Our jutstice system is laughable to many foreigners. They know how to 'beat it' any day. It seems our law is on the side of guilty; especially if 'they' stand to gain fame and fortune finally, at the long long bitter end of a defence of the most despicable peopele and deeds one could imagine.DUE PROCESS of LAW....kinda sounds like 'do **** 'em all '...

[grouchomarc-2009]

Wonder if anyone ever investigated all the members of the Boulder police agenncies to see if any of them ever had any prior child abuse/pediphile/pornography issues?
Could certainly explain why so much botching has gone on for so many years. Perhaps it's the Chief...
a small city i once lived in had a fire marshall who whould start fires during the night so that he could solve them. The difference here is that, perhaps someone in the Boulder law inforcement doesn't want it solved!

[rwoodall2]

This man is sick. He definately has a reputation for preying on young girls. He is a sexual predator and needs to be off the streets.

Wheather he did it or not, im not sure but he doesn't need to be wandering around preying on young girls thats for sure.

[juliehg-2009]

Remember now, innocent until proven guilty. Then again, that's what they said about Scott Peterson.

[bfroggy-2009]

Who cares.

[tomflint69]

I agree with apdepetris. Further, Karr was also trying to change his *** and face surgery. This is also somewhat suspicious of him. and he not only married a 13 year old gal but also married another under age girl and separated her. She also told about Mr. Karr to be "slightly" mentally loose.

[ronniehm]

I think in this case his family is acting as his agent. That's against the law.

[apdepetris]

I believe there is already a law in place that people convicted of a crime are not allowed to profit from it i.e. movies, book deals, etc. His family is another story. I guess his family's hearts are in the right place with providing for his kids and things but it does seem a little weird.

As for saying Karr is just unusual and not unbalanced or wrong come on now. The guy married a 13 year old - that seems pretty wrong to me. Whether he committed the crime or not, he definately has a thing for little girls which is just creepy.